Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!: Warfare Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #1

Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. (19-28)

So Great Britain is sending a whole lotta military resources to North America, and there aren't any enemies there. (We'd be a little nervous, too.)

Quote #2

I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! (45-46)

Simmer down, Henry. We all heard you the first twenty times.

Quote #3

Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. (54-57)

Wow, so Henry is pretty sure he is in the right here, and somehow being right is going to solve any teensy little problems of being outnumbered and outgunned. Just go with it, Henry. Confidence is key.